Charter of Philadelphia, 1701. — Another important measure was a charter of the city of Philadelphia. This was granted on the 25th of October, 1701,1 just before Penn left. This charter resembled those of the Middle Ages. The aldermen and common councilmen were appointed for life and filled any vacancies which might occur in their number. The mayor was chosen annually from the aldermen by at least five of the aldermen and nine of the councilmen. Penn appointed Edward Shippen, mayor, Thomas Story, recorder, eight aldermen and twelve councilmen. This charter was in force until 1776, the time of the Revolution.2

Results of Penn's Visit. During his stay of less than two years Penn had accomplished much. He had put an end to disorder, he had softened party feeling, he had approved judicious laws, he had granted a liberal charter, had incorporated Philadelphia, had arranged for a peaceful separation of the "three lower counties," and had also held many meetings with the Indians and cemented the bonds of good feeling.

Penn and his family sailed on the 2d of November (1701) in the Dolmahoy, and arrived at Portsmouth in thirty days after leaving the Capes of the Delaware.

Penn in England; The Fords; Penn in Debtors' Prison. He returned to a difficult and trying situation. The attempt to supersede the proprietary governments failed but the project was not abandoned. Penn's personal affairs, however, gave him the greatest anxiety and trouble. He had inherited from his father a large property, the greater part of which this Act, and in 1705 the Assembly reenacted the test. So, in spite of the provisions of the Charter, Catholics, Jews, and unbelievers were excluded from office until the Revolution.

1 A charter duly signed and dated in 1691, was found in 1887, but as no records exist of its operation, it could have been in force only for a short time. 2 From 1776 to 1790 the city was without a charter.

was in Ireland. Owing to the wars and the turmoil in Ireland after the revolution of 1688, the income from his Irish estates was greatly diminished. His Pennsylvania enterprise had been very expensive, costing him over £50,000, from which investment he had received but little return. Many of the colonists resisted the system of quit-rents and would not pay, and others had little money. The only surviving son of his first marriage, William Penn, Jr., was a spendthrift and a depraved man, costing his father much. Above all, the steward of his Irish estates, Philip Ford, had cheated him out of thousands of pounds, claiming that he had expended large sums for Penn's benefit. Penn at that time having perfect confidence in Ford, signed deeds and papers, giving as security large tracts of land in Pennsylvania. With compound interest and more frauds the account grew so that in 1699 Ford put in a claim for £7,000, and Penn privately conveyed the whole of Pennsylvania to him as security for the debt. On Penn's return, as was customary among the Quakers, he laid the case before the Friends' Meeting, asking for a settlement by arbitration, which the Fords1 refused. A long legal contest followed. Penn's friends now took up the case and brought in charges of fraud, and on the advice of his friends Penn refused all payment and went to the debtors' prison. After he had remained there about a year, the Fords were compelled to compromise. They agreed to accept half of their claim of £14,000, which amount was raised by Penn's friends on security of future receipts from Pennsylvania, and Penn was at last released.

1 Mrs. Ford and her son, for Philip Ford had died.

CHAPTER VII

PENNSYLVANIA IN THE EARLY EIGHTEENTH CENTURY WILLIAM PENN

Pennsylvania in 1701. At the time of William Penn's second visit the colony had been in existence about eighteen years. Notwithstanding many drawbacks the condition of affairs was flourishing.

The population was about 17,000, mostly English and Welsh, with some Germans and Swedes, but the Quakers were still in the majority. About one half of the inhabitants lived in Philadelphia. Trade was good and there was considerable commerce between Philadelphia and England, the vessels often going by way of the West Indies to increase the opportunity for trade. The farmers were prosperous. Philadelphia was built up as far as Fifth or Sixth Street, and extended along the river north and south. Most of the houses were built of brick, and with its regularly laid-out streets Philadelphia presented an attractive appearance. There were practically no public buildings, and the Assembly sat in Friends' meeting houses or wherever accommodation could be secured, even "ale houses" being occasionally made use of.

The great lack of the colony was ready money. Nearly all transactions were settled in produce; wheat, corn, tobacco, and other articles taking the place of coin. There was as yet no paper money.

Though Penn had offered the Council and Assembly the privilege of choosing the deputy governor, they did not accept,

and so he appointed Andrew Hamilton of New Jersey, who lived only a short time. Edward Shippen, who was president of the council, acted as deputy-governor for about a year.1

Political Parties. William Penn had the respect of all the people and the affection of most, and as long as he was in

SWEDISH HOUSES, QUEEN ST., PHILADELPHIA

Built in the early part of the eighteenth century

Pennsylvania there was quiet. But, as soon as he left, slumbering jealousies awoke and factions began their strife and continued it for many years. There were three parties. First, the proprietary party with James Logan, Penn's representative, as leader. This party was composed of the richer and better educated Friends, especially in Philadelphia. These controlled the Council, and in general were desirous of conducting the colony in accordance with Penn's wishes. Logan, perhaps the ablest man in the colony, was too aristocratic to be a good

1 Markham doubtless could have been appointed again had he not been in ill health. He died 1704.

leader. He was lacking in sympathy, reserved in manner, severe in speech, and rather harsh in his judgment.

The second and popular party, was led by David Lloyd, the best lawyer in Pennsylvania. He was a consistent Quaker, holding their special doctrines regarding war, oaths, peace, and other matters. He was strongly democratic in his political views, a violent upholder of popular rights, and not always scrupulous as to the means he employed to gain his ends. He was supported by the country Friends until he lost their approval through his violent measures. He possessed great influence and had much to do with shaping the legislation and government of the colony.

The third party, a small one, but having much influence, was the Church of England party. This, on account of its connections in England, gave the Quakers considerable trouble. It demanded defense by force against Indian and other enemies, and the imposition of legal oaths, claiming that affirmations and declarations were not enough. The Quakers objected not only to taking oaths themselves, but also to administering them to others. The directions from England to administer oaths to those who were willing to take them caused the Quaker magistrates much trouble, and some resigned. The object of this third party was to take Pennsylvania out of the hands of the proprietary, and make it a crown colony, and to introduce the established church and a military system. The leader was Colonel Robert Quarry,1 judge of the admiralty. He was appointed by the crown to look after its interests, and was independent of the colonial government.

Governor John Evans. After Hamilton's death Penn appointed a young Welshman, John Evans, as deputy gov

1 The name in the records and correspondence of the day is often spelled Quary.